With its mesmerising female protagonist and eye-popping analog action, The Villainess arrives on our shores after receiving a four-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival. Closing this year’s New York Asian Film Festival, director Jung Byung-gil spoke with me...

One of his country’s most sought-after and exciting actors, Odagiri Joe has made a career pushing the boundaries of Japanese cinema. Fearless in his choice of roles and unhesitant about working overseas, Odagiri spoke with me about his motivations as...

In This Corner of the World is already a blockbuster hit in its native Japan. Japan Cuts hosted the US premiere of the film and I had a chance to chat with its producer, Maki Taro, about the risks and...

For his second feature film, Miyazaki Daisuke decided to turn his camera to his home town. Setting a young rapper’s search for her own voice through the incessant roar of a neighboring US military base, Director Miyazaki and I chatted...

West North West’s bold, intimate study of three ladies brought together by attraction, yet isolated by race, religion and sexuality, features knockout performances by its leads. Model, actress and television personality, Sahel Rosa spoke with me candidly about the challenges...

Having begun her acting career at age 10 in the hands of legendary Japanese director Suzuki Seijun, Kan Hanae has never stopped working. Attending Japan Cuts, with not one, but two films, Kan spoke with me about the challenges of...

At the moment, in Korea, there aren’t many stars that shine brighter or hotter than Gang Dong-won. The leading man of more than 20 features creates frenzies everywhere he goes, as proven by his appearance to receive the Star Asia...

For his first feature film, director Wong Chun decided to shine a spotlight on the serious topic of mental illness, and one Hong Kong family’s struggle to cope. The project generated such momentum that both of its stars, Shaun Yue,...

After 2014’s acclaimed, Gyeongju, director Zhang Lu returns to the New York Asian Film Festival with A Quiet Dream. With a little help from his star, Han Ye-ri, Zhang spoke with me about blurring the lines between the subconscious and...

Based on true incidents, Thailand’s Bad Genius is a very different kind of heist film. The film’s director, Nattawut Poonpiriya and two stars, Chanon Santinatornkul and the New York Asian Film Festival’s Rising Star Award winner, Chutimon "Aokbab" Chuengcharoensuking talked...

The 17th Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival is underway this week in the idyllic Swiss city, where Japanese director Takashi Miike is the guest of honour. The prolific auteur behind such classics as Audition, Ichi the Killer and 13 Assassins...

It all began with a drawing of a little girl and a giant pig. Okja is Director Bong Joon-ho’s fantastic journey of a brave child fighting capitalism, betrayal, instant celebrity, and a world full of ills to save her beloved pet...

Choi Wooshik’s outstanding performance in 2014’s haunting, heartbreaking SET ME FREE not only won him the Busan International Film Festival Actor of the Year and the prestigious Blue Dragon awards, it also gained him a place in the incredible international...

Part collaborator, part many-armed mover and remover of obstacles, Dooho Choi jumped into the deep end as a producer with 2013’s SNOWPIERCER, Director Bong Joon-ho’s ambitious multinational sci-fi adventure. As the founder of Kate Street Picture Company, Choi dives in...

Last month, Hong Kong filmmaker Fruit Chan served as the head of the Creators Factory jury at the 9th Okinawa International Movie Festival on the picturesque Japanese island. Chan had recently unveiled a new restoration of his groundbreaking 1997 indie...

Mikhail Red triumphed at Tokyo Film Festival at the back end of 2016 when he picked up the Asian Future Award for his sophmore effort, Birdshot. Mikhail, along with producing partner Pamela Reyes, has now returned to Japan, bringing his...

When the man who gave us such critically acclaimed, award-winning epics as Red Sorghum, Hero, and Raise the Red Lantern makes a self-described “popcorn flick,” it’s a pretty big deal. Director Zhang Yimou had a brief chat with me about...

Dutch animator, director and illustrator, Michael Dudok de Wit is the first foreign director to collaborate with Studio Ghibli as the Japanese animation house embarks into foreign waters and international production. After years of making award winning shorts (how many...